Biomarkers data collector/ laboratory technology

Contract Duration: 45 days

Required number: 3

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) strives to address nutrition and health-related problems by conducting population-based research and contributing to the effective implementation of the Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategy in Ethiopia. To this end, the Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate of EPHI in collaboration with the University of California Davis and Nutrition International (NI), a Canadian non-governmental organization, is planning to conduct research on the development and assessment of double-fortified salt with iodine and folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in Ethiopia

Spina bifida and related neural tube defects (NTDs) are caused by abnormalities in the formation of the brain and spinal cord during early embryonic development and result in a high prevalence of fetal loss, infant and young child mortality, severe physical disabilities among survivors, and incalculable suffering of affected individuals and their families. Research conducted in the 1980s-90s demonstrated that NTDs are associated with poor maternal folate status and can be largely prevented by providing additional folate in the form of folic acid supplements or folic acid-fortified foods during the peri-conceptional period.

The prevalence of NTDs is high in Ethiopia, and the national government has issued a series of recommendations to address this problem, including folic acid fortification of staple foods and condiments. Because of the success of salt iodization in Ethiopia, where more than 90% of households consume iodized salt, salt is an attractive vehicle to consider for folic acid fortification. However, no countries currently deploy folic acid fortification of salt as a public health program, and the Ethiopian Ggovernment has requested rigorous evaluation of this strategy before initiating a national program to fortify salt with folic acid.

In response to this challenge, we plan to implement a community-based research project in rural Ethiopia, to assess the acceptability and nutritional impact of double-fortified salt containing both iodine and folic acid (DFS-IoFA), and its effects on biomarkers of micronutrient status and safety among Ethiopian women.

Responsibilities:

1. All data collectors are responsible for maintain universal safety procedures

2. Each data collection team will prior to going to the field each day, ensure that all the supplies needed for the sample collection are packed in the back packs.

3. In collaboration with the supervisor and community leader identify suitable place to establish temporary field laboratory.

4. Read the consent form and obtain informed consent from the selected women.

5. The data collector should interview the women and accurately record their responses.

6. Review each questionnaire and laboratory test result on the tablet prior to moving to the next respondents and make sure all questions are answered correctly and results are documented properly.

7. Collect and prepare body fluids (such as blood and urine) and stool from study subjects at the health facility.

8. Test anaemia and malaria from whole blood of the study subjects at the health facility.

9. Data collector should be willing to stay at the study site until the scheduled of the study period.

10. Collaboratively work with other project teams for the effective implementation of the project.

11. Additional activities could be given by the project supervisor/coordinator.

BSc in laboratory technology with at least 2 years of experience in the clinical setting. Demonstrate capability to draw blood from human subjects, using vacutainer tube and process the whole blood, urine and stool sample.

Language: Speaking and reading skills in Afaan Oromo is mandatory.

Duty station/location: The successful candidate will be based in study location, Oromia, Gimbichu Woreda